OUR STORY

Hello everyone.

If you're here it means you're wondering what Block'Out is about. Let me tell you the story of this adventure...

... Ready? Then I'll begin!

Block'Out project's origins

After having discovered climbing in the Forêt de Fontainebleau when they were students, Arnaud PIOGER and Emmanuel CHARRUAU decided to create an indoor climbing facility that would make it possible for experienced climbers to improve, but also for beginners to discover the joys of climbing

A unique concept

in 2008, Block'Out was borned... ... and the 2 friends offered an original concept by combining a climbing facility entirely devoted to bouldering; climbing without ropes or harnesses and a brasserie type restaurant.

Sports and exchanges

Block'Out quickly met with its audience, thanks to the freedom and the exchanges between climbers that indoor bouldering allows.

Eat and move up!

The quality of the Block'Out restaurant and service also contributed to making the brand a unique spot for sports and meals.

Then they decided to grow...

This success encouraged Arnaud and Emmanuel to open a second climbing-restaurant facility in Paris (Saint-Ouen) in 2012, and then in Evry-Lisses in 2014.

...to tranform Block'Out in a big family !

In 2015 Block'Out opened in Strasbourg. In 2016, Rennes and Bordeaux opened their doors and more Block'Out climbing gyms. 2017 has already welcomed Toulouse. And Lille, Rouen, Montpellier, Nantes in France, and Auckland and Sydney in the pacific area are work in progress...

What's next ???

Block'Out in Reims, Metz, Lyon, Marseille and new countries should come very soon... Stay tuned !!!

BOULDERING

Bouldering is a fun, well-rounded sub-category of climbing that develops the physical and mental abilities of those who practice it. Block’Out bouldering gyms aim to offer all climbers the best possible experience. We pride ourselves on creating a friendly atmosphere with high-quality service at every level.

What is bouldering?Bouldering is a form of climbing performed primarily on rocks not exceeding 5 to 6 meters in height without the use of ropes or harnesses.

What is bouldering?

BOULDERING IS A FORM OF CLIMBING PERFORMED PRIMARILY ON ROCKS NOT EXCEEDING 5 TO 6 METERS IN HEIGHT WITHOUT THE USE OF ROPES AND HARNESSES.

Block’Out gyms are bouldering-only facilities. This reflects our love for the Forest of Fontainebleau. Situated just south of Paris, Fontainebleau is the birthplace of bouldering. Its sandstone boulders provide a magnificent playground for all climbers, attracting thousands of visitors from around the world every year. In the first half of the 20th century, the forest was seen more as a winter training ground for Paris-based climbers wanting to practice for the Alps. Today, many climbers shun all other forms of climbing to concentrate exclusively on bouldering, which has become a sport in its own right. Bouldering gyms are now used by many as a fun alternative to traditional fitness gyms as well as by climbers of all levels, from beginners to world-class competitors.

Block’Out gyms offer climbs up to a height of 4.5 metres. In the event of a fall, the climber lands in total safety on gymnastics-style crash-pads.

Who and how?Bouldering is open to most ages and all levels of ability.

Who and how?

BOULDERING IS OPEN TO MOST AGES AND ALL LEVELS OF ABILITY.

Bouldering is open to just about anybody, from four year olds to pensioners. There is no need for the ropes, harnesses, quick-draws and other equipment used in other forms of climbing. All the climber needs is a pair of climbing shoes, and for outdoors, possibly a ‘crash-pad’ to cushion the inevitable falls.

Bouldering requires a combination of strength, explosive power, finesse and agility, sometimes all four at once. The solutions to some problems, even difficult ones, are relatively obvious. Others, particularly in Fontainebleau, are like complex puzzles that require patience, perfect technique and subtle, unlikely body placements before they can be unlocked. As climbers progress through the grades, every level presents a challenge.

Block’Out gyms offer climbing for beginners right up to the highest level. A 7-year old beginner can find herself climbing alongside top-flight climbers, perhaps even a medal-winner in world-cup competitions!

A bloc can be climbed ‘on-sight’ (without prior information) or ‘flashed’ (climbed on the first attempt but with information, or ‘beta’, on the best method). The best style of ascent is therefore an on-sight flash. A ‘problem’ can also be ‘worked’, with success only coming after several, sometimes many, attempts.

Bouldering can be done alone or in a group. We welcome groups from schools, companies or other organisations. Please visit the websites for each Block’Out gym for information about the different formulas available.

The grading systemHow to assess your progress… or lack of it!

The grading system

HOW TO ASSESS YOUR PROGRESS... OR LACK OF IT!

Bouldering has its own grading systems to classify the difficulty of different problems. There are several systems for bouldering grades in use around the world. At Block’Out we use the system developed at Fontainebleau, sometimes referred to as the Font scale, or Font grades.

Fontainebleau grades are an open-ended numerical system that runs from around 3 up to 8, possibly 9, currently. To each number is added a letter (a, b or c), which from the 6th grade can be further nuanced with a ‘+’ or a ‘-‘ symbol. Boulder problems can therefore be classified in rising order of difficulty as follows: … 6c+, 7a, 7a+, 7b, etc.

Font grades are a mysterious beast. It’s not uncommon for visitors – particularly those who climb primarily indoors – to arrive thinking they can climb 7s only to find themselves humbled on 5s. Roughly speaking, beginners will be doing well to climb up to the low 5s. Intermediate level climbers will be in the 5c to 6c range. Once you hit the 7th grade you’re getting good, and from 7b and above, you can consider yourself an expert.

Block'Out Glossary

Some bouldering/climbing jargon you might find useful.

Block'Out Glossary

Some bouldering/climbing jargon you might find useful.

Chalk: used to absorb the sweat that will accumulate on your hands at the sight of all the beautiful creatures climbing at Block’OutCrash pad: the ubiquitous portable mats that protect boulderers in the event of falls when climbing outside. Brush: what you use to clean dirty holdsOn sight: climbed on the first attempt without information about the methodFlash: also climbed first go but with information (beta) about the methodA move: what you do to progress from one hold to another.Heel hook: using your heel to pull yourself into the rock. Toe hook: using the upper side of your toes to hold yourself in to the wall, often on overhanging rock.

We’ll leave it to you to discover what a campus board is, or a flag, or an Egyptian, or a sloper, or a crimp…

A few expressions you might hear at BO:“We’re not here to count the holds!”“If the Fun Brigade comes by, you’ll get life!” “It’s not late.”“Welcome to BO!”